Reviews with content warning for Cursing - Bet on It

I really enjoyed this romance! I loved the small town setting, the themes of complex family, mental illness, new adult friendships, boundaries & moving on from the past.

The romance itself was great. I loved the tension and the “betting” trope done in a non problematic way! The bingo scenes were cute and made me want to go play!

The sex scenes were open door and steamy.

I can’t wait to read what the the author does next! :-)

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trayslays's review

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lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

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kelly_e's review

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funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

Title: Bet On It
Author: Jodie Slaughter
Genre: Romance
Rating: 3.75
Pub Date: July 12, 2022

Thanks to St. Martin's Press for sending me a digital ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

T H R E E • W O R D S

Refreshing • Unique • Steamy

📖 S Y N O P S I S

In the midst of a panic attack in the aisle of the Piggly Wiggly, Aja meets the man of her dreams. She meets him again at her weekly bingo, when he is introduced as the grandson of her closest bingo buddy.

There are only two things in Greenbelt, South Carolina that take up room in Walker Abbott's heart: the peach cobbler at his favourite restaurant and his ailing grandmother. When he returns to help care for her after a decade away, he has fast plans to be gone as soon as she's rehabilitated.

After the very first game, it's clear they are both going to pose a problem to each other.

💭 T H O U G H T S

I was initially drawn to Bet on It because of the cover, and after hearing the author discuss it in upcoming book preview event I attended, I was even more intrigued. It just sounded like the type of book I'd enjoy.

What I like:
• the representation. This book has mental illness representation, diverse representation, and fat representation. All of which were done incredibly well. The anxiety felt so accurate and relatable, and healthy conversations about therapy were a nice touch. The body positivity aspect was flawless.
• the meet cute. Meeting in a bingo hall. Yes, please! Aside from the mental health rep, the whole bingo aspect was my favourite part of the book.
• the grandma. It's no shocker I loved the grandmother.
• the small town vibes. Also not a shocker.

What I didn't like:
• lack of character depth. I felt like both Aja and Walker could have been developed more. Because of the lack of depth, the story kind of petered out.
• the second half. The relationship felt mostly about the sex, and I needed more of their relationship. My attention definitely waned after being so invested throughout the first half.

Overall, I enjoyed the idea of this book, the execution just could have used a little fine tuning. I'll be interested to see what Jodie Slaughter writes next based on the representation alone.

📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• readers who like their books steamy
• anyone looking for mental health rep in a rom-con -

🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S

"Her brain loved to overthink things. Find hidden meanings in moments without any. She was always digging through simple conversations for unspoken things that she’d already convinced herself were real, even against all logic."

"Shit’s hard. It’s important to be open and honest when you’re ready and willin’. But I don’t think we owe it to anybody to tell them shit we aren’t comfortable tellin’ them either."

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britreads's review against another edition

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emotional funny lighthearted sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I can't believe I've been sleeping on the romance genre for so long! I can't remember what convinced me to give this a try, but I'm glad I did. I will say the cover may be a bit deceptive. Bingo is a major part of this story and there are some lighthearted moments, but this novel explores trauma, mental health, anxiety and other heavy topics. The two main leads both discuss their mental health and therapy journal and there are some graphic depictions of anxiety attacks. But the author treats the topic with the respect and care it deserves. This is clear in the many side characters who are deeply empathetic and caring towards the Aja and Walker.

I'm genuinely surprised by how much I enjoyed Aja and Walker's interactions. It was an equal mixture of tender, funny, sexy and beautiful. I also love the fat/plus size representation with Aja's character and how it's never a joke or something she's ridiculed for. It's refreshing to read a story where a plus sized Black woman is presented as desirable, both sexually and emotionally.

I can't find any faults with this novel and I will definitely read more of Jodie Slaughter's work in the future. I'm actually considering purchasing a physical copy to add to my bookshelves.

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readingthroughinfinity's review against another edition

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hopeful lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

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a_libra_library's review against another edition

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emotional funny inspiring lighthearted reflective tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio production from St. Martin's Griffin for this Audio Arc.

This book opens with a panic attack and has themes of Mental health and illnesses.

Heavy trigger warnings for PTSD, Anxiety disorders and panic attacks, self harm.

Aja, a young social media manager, who has just moved to the small town of Greenbelt meets the man of her dreams in the local supermarket in the midst of a panic attack.

This dreamy man, Walker Abbot, has just returned to Greenbelt to help with his grandmother after a minor accident. After a heated bingo game Aja and Walker decide to go into a hasty bingo sex pack - Because that would be better than admitting there could be more than just sexual attraction.

I love that this romance book focuses on the two people individually, their families, friendships and health then puts them together. AND THEY COMMUNICATE!

Walker deals with his childhood trauma and relationships with his hometown, father and grandmother.

Aja works with her social anxiety by making friends in a new town and looking for a fresh start.

This book is HOT 🔥 🥵 , I never knew bingo could be sexy!? A bingo sex pact, thats definely how I’m going to recommend this book. The banter, the relationship, friendships!? I loved every bit of it.

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